A repository for whatever wisdom (or lack thereof) I choose to dispense. Probably consisting mostly of Naval and Maritime history, Photography, or a combination thereof.

Friday, 7 July 2017

Hebridee II - Back in the Water

After an 8 year rebuild in the waterfront boat shed at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Hebridee II is finally back in her native element. The Bluenose Jr. class schooner was originally built in 1953, and took to the water again this morning.

Rolled out of her builder's shed, and turned 90 degrees, Hebridee II is seen on July 6 ready to be put on the back of a truck for the trip to the Royal Nova Scotian Yacht Squadron.

Launched at RNSYS, her builder Eamonn Doorly brought her back to the waterfront under her own power on July 7th and tied up opposite HMCS SACKVILLE in the same camber.

Hebridee II lying alongside in front of the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

Without her masts and various other bits, she is riding a bit high in the bow at the moment. Eamonn plans to step the masts early next week.

I took this shot from the deck of SACKVILLE in order to get a slightly higher perspective.

Instead of the more traditional marine diesel engine, Hebridee II now has an electric motor for auxiliary power. While this is a greener powerplant and better for the environment, this system also has the more immediate benefits of being quieter and having fewer thru-hull penetrations, and also means you aren't subjected to the smell of diesel fumes below decks.

Eamonn assures me the topsides were scratched by trees during her road trip and require touch up, but everything looks pristine to me.

I will try to update this post with more photos next week as the masts go up.

Personally, I can hardly wait to see her under sail on the waters of Halifax Harbour this summer.